Printing press



A. C. CHRISTOPHERSON.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.30,.I920.

1,41 1,267. Patented p 4, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- A. C. CHRISTOPHERSON.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED mac. 30. I920.

1,41 1 ,267, Patented Apr. 4, 1922 2 SHEETSSHEET 2. 7 6&

' UNITED sm'r ais ATENT O FICE ALFRED c. CHRISTOPHERSON0F"HENASHA, :wIscoN'sIN, ASSIGNOR' rodnoxnn MANUFACTURING 00. or GHICAGO', ILLmoIs, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

PRINTING 2m 7 Specification of Letters Patent. t t r, 4; 1 2

Application m Decanter 3o; i920. serial fio. 434 029.

To all whom it may concern: I "7' Be itknown that I, ALFRED (l Crnusrof PHE son, citizen of thellnited States,resicl ing at Menasha, in the county of linneb'ago and State of Wisconsin, "have invented a certain new and useful ImproyementinPrinting Presses, of which the followingis a full; clear, concise, and exactdescription. 1

My invention relates to printingfpresses and includes the proyisionof me l f forfeits fecting printing pressure between printing pressmembers that are equipped with bearers which limit theextent to which said membersinay be approached under the in- V fluence of the printing pressure exerting means. If the printingspace defined by the contactin bearers-should be too' narrow to accommodate the paper 'beingprinted'upon and the printing form or elementthat'are between the printing members in the printing operation, the aforesaid printing pres} sure effecting-means will yield tofperniit such separation of the bearers" that would avoid any increase in the printing pressure between the printinginer'nbers. I further provide means for rendering the printing pressure exerting means functionlefss for 7 its purp se to'en blw p r t para on h rr nt ng members in the imprin ne QpeifitiOIilOf the press-Q" 1 The printing pressurejexerting means is pr fmblyf n he m f spr ngmecha is which 'is' effective, inthe printing folperation, to move one printing Ine nber' intoSprinting relation withthe other and to rnaintain the bearers ofthese members 'in contact if vthe printing form and the paper being printed upon together do not 'exceed fthe proper P i ep 01 typ he g t: the spr ng,

mechanism yieldingto permit-a separation of the bearers if the aggregatedepth of the printing fo'rrn and the paper-being printed upon is excessive, By the construction of my invention the printing pressure between e Pr g me b s 0 5 Pr s ann 'erceerl the printing pressure exertlng for'ce qf the sprin mechanism; the printing m fimbel that, sge y nfluenced the spri g mechanism yielding, in opposition: to the forceof the spring inec'hanisni, if the aggro;

gatedepth of the printing fornrand. paper" is excessive, to a. point-at 'which the spr ng me h nis xer the pr nt ng, messu 'fer which it'isdesignedj I Hi 'herm Sepa at on b t een depth; was perniittedby .the springin ofstructuralparts ofthe press thatwere liable to retain warpedo' set shapes.

1 Will explain m invention more; my

by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment the 1760f andin jwhichfEig. ,l 'isw a'yiew in side eleiia tion of one form of printing press iconstrncted in accordance: with the invention; Fig "2 isf'a sectional i-vi e w on line 2-2;;of Eigf.'l ;'Fig '3 is ar sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig; 2;Fig. 41's a'sectional View on brief-4 o'f Fig.1; Fig. 5 'is a view looking at one side'of'the press showing parts thereof on a;larger scale, portions being broken away and-other portions being. shown in section; and Fig. 6 is a sectional, -VlBW on line- 6-6ofFig.5.

Like p'arts are'indicated by similarchar acters reference throughout the difi'erent; figures. Y Y i are' -bolted at 5n; the frame ofitheinachinei The shaft Bjof thel printing'ioylinder '7 is rotatably supported inj the. upper endsloff I a d, r ck ts i i Press is w nd press, a crank 8'isyapplied'to the Shaft in or'derto turn the printing cylinder, although it is'to be understood that any means may be employed for'perforining this function.

Thus in the preferred embodiment-of the invention; the axis of rotation of the cylin cler is substantially stationary, that is nontraveling, inthe printing operation and is also substantially stationary, that 15,1 01;- traveling in the non-printing" operation. A bearer roller-9 is supported bytheframe. 11 substantially vertically beneath the v printing cyl'i'nc ler, The rea un printing bed 1O- is supported upon l the bearer roller; 9, at least in part, this bed'being' adapted to carry the employed printing forrn oll oiiany suit= able lcharacten 'lhe bed" 10 is pressed up war-(11y, during the printing operation, as

will hereinafterniore full appear order Y that the ire, 'ui siteprinting pressure may be e ertea t eprinting;form u onltheipaper].

t' a i e er i them s i I 17"that are themselves fixedly carried'by' the frame 1 from which the rods depend;

- The lower threaded ends of ,the'rods '17 ment with the rods 17'that' are reduced in diameter to, pass, through holes formed in the abutment 16 carried thereby, "nuts 18serving toclamp the. abutment-16 against the larger portions of the rods. 1 The upper end of each spring 15 has a'fioating abutment 19 in slidingjengage 7 pass through holes formed in the ends of this latter abutinent. "A rod 20 is in threaded engagement with the abutment 19," there being also alock nut 21 upon the rod 20 to'hold this rod and the abutment 19 in'fixedrelation,

The lower end of the rod 20 is formed with a head 22 that constitutes the rod a bolt. .Each'abutment 19 and the corresponding bolt head '22 are so spaced apart that hereinafter to be, described, the head 22 when the spring 15 ,therebetween is effecting printing :pressure, during the printing stroke of ,the bed, through the elements will not contact with the abutment 16 but whenthe' adjustment is such that the bed 10isl'to vbe permitted todrop by gravity awayffrom the cylinder 7, during the nonprinting stroke of the bed, the head 22, will 7 engage the abutment 16 "toiact as a stop :to'prevent the springv from exerting I printing pressure in order that the bed 10 may then be free to fall away from thecylinder Tim the non-printing stroke.

Asillus -ted, each spring 15 performs its function through a continuation 23 of the'rod 20, this continuation 23 being in snugshding fit with a vertical opening in the corresponding side of the frame 1. i The upper'end of each rod continuation 23 bears V against the lowerv side of the corresponding press with the engaging rod continuation floating block 24 upon the same side of the V23; Each floating block 24 supports a b'' in'g 25 that maybe held in fixed rela-v to;tion"therewith.: as by means of: the dowel with' a large opening 27 in which the cor-f pins 26. .Each upright bracket 4; is formed respondingbearing 25 is received, this open- 25 surrounded thereby to ermit: suitable ing ineach bracket 1 affording ample clearance between such bracket and the bearing range of vertical movement of the cor respondingv block 24. A shaft 28 is journaled in each bearing 25, both of these shafts being relatively fixed and coaxial.

One of these shafts, in the case of a hand operated press, is provided with a crank 29.by which the shafts may be turned in unison upon their common axis which is defined by the aligned bearings 25. An element 30 is formed or otherwise fixed upon and in eccentric relation to each shaft 28, these eccentrics being obj-axial; and being joined by the shaft'section 31' whereby the eccentrics,'as well as the shafts 28, are held in fixed relation so that the operations ef-f fected by the movements of the crank upon one side of the press are "duplicated upon the other side ofthejpress, An inner cylindrical raceway 32 is provided uponeach" eccentric 30, the peripheral surfaces of these raceways being coaxial with each other and with the eccentrics 30 about which the'racewaysare disposed. "Bearing rollers turn upon the raceways 32-and support the outer raceways 3 1, the" inner surfaces of these "latter raceways being alsoco-axial r r with the eccentrics 30 The raceways 3 1 are mounted in the ends of the bearer roller 9.

For the printing stroke. the crank 29 is turned to bring the axis of the eccentrics 3O above the common axis of the shafts 28. In

this adjustment, the bearer roller 9 is raised with respect to the co-axial shafts 28 and theheads 22 of the bolts 20 are lowered sufficiently from the abutments. 16 Ito afford working, ranges for the springs 15' to nable them I to' exert printing pressufre, unimpeded by the engagement of thecbolt heads 22 with the 'abutments 16 whereby the bearer-roller 9 islifted and pressed against the bed lO to bring the printing form ll into printingrelation with'the'paper 12.; Thesprin'g effect ed printing pressure is maintained during, the printingstroke of the printing bed '10; that is effected during the rotation of the,

cylinder 7 in one direction and through the inter-mediation of thespur "gear 35 co-axial with said cylinder and the rack36 fixed upon one side of the printingbed. During the non-printing stroke of the bed suchjbed' is to be; lowered sufficiently toseparate the bearers13, and 14:, in accordance with com-. mon practice. 'lheextent to which the bed 1O is lowered is insufficient touncouple the 1 1 gear elements 35 and 36 sothat when the cylinder 7 is 'reve1'selyl rotated inthe non printing stroke'the bed, 10. may. be moved in anopposite direction from thatin which it was moved in the printing stroke. In order to iewer the bed 10 Iro the nonprinting stroke the'crank .29 is moved to lower the;

eccentrics 30; Iiithe first part of the lbw-7.

ering movement of these :eccentrics'the bolt heads 22 are engaged withthe bottom sides t the'abutments 16, When these bolt heads have engaged these abutments the springs l5 can no longer function to exertnpward pressure upon the blocks 24 so that,.upon continuation of the eccentric lowering movement of the crank 29, the bearer roller 9 will be lowered by gravity to permit the bed 10 to drop from the cylinder 7 only to such an extent that the gear elements 35 and 36 willnot be unmeshed but to an extent which will secure the desired, separation of the bearers 1 3 and 14 :f01 thenon-printing op: eration.", j

The spacing between the bolt heads 22 and the abutment.'16, that is present when the springs areperforming their function, is sufliciently small in relation to the degree of eccentricity of the shafts 28 and the eccentries -that said bolt heads will encounter the a-butments 16 during the first small portion of the bed lowering movement of the crank 29 so that upon further movement of this crank the eccentrics 30 may function to lowerthe bearer roller 9 unopposed by the action of the spring.

It is preferred to provide additional bearer rollers 3.7 which are supported in a manner similar tothe. bearer roller.9, but which do not quite reach the horizontal plane that includes; the points of contact of the bearer roller 9 with the bed 10. The bearer rollers 37 are associated with shafts 38 that corre-.

spond tothe shafts 28, the shafts 38 having eccentrics I thereon similar to the eccentrics 30 and similarly positioned with respect.

thereto, thefeccentrics upon-the shafts 38 carrying rollerbearings that are in supporting relation to the bearer rollers 37 the arrangement of these'roller bearlngs belng similarto that which is employed in conjunction with the'bearer roller v9. -As the mountings'for the bearer rollers 37 are thus in all essential respects similar to the mountings for the bearer roller 9, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate the mountings for-the former bearer rollers. Cranks 39 are mount-.

ed upon these shafts 88 thatare upon the same side of the press with the crank 29, the cranks 89 being related to the shafts 38 as is the .crank 29 with the shaft 28 carrying it.

i All of these cranks 29-and 39 are operated in unison in order thatthe various eccentrics may be; similarly positioned in all ad-. justments of the crank 29. To this end the cranks 39 are joined by a link 40. This-linkis joined-with one end, ofa centrally pivoted rockerarm 41:, the other end of this rocker arm being joined by a link 42 with the arm 43 that isin fixed relation to the crank 29.

WVhile I-have herein shown one printing member in the nature of a cylinder and the complementalprinting member in the nature of a reciprocating bed which carries the printing form l do not wish to be limited to, this arrangement nor to the particular member whichta riesfthe printing for as it is obviousthat my invention may be embodied in printing presses in which the printingm'embers are otherwise shaped, op-

' erated and interrelated.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the spring mechanism is adjustable to determine the degree of printing pressure that is tobe exerted thereby. whereby such pressure maybe suited to the character of the printing to be performed and the nature of the printing elements em{ ployed. o l

WVhileI haveherein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish tobe' limitedto the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be, made without vdeparting'from the spirit of my invention, but

ehaving thns, described my invention I claim ingoperation; printing pressure'exerting means for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operationand permitting separation of the engaging bearers to prevent-imdue increase of the printing pressure; and means for separating the enaging; bearers. i a

.2, AT printing press including two printing members each provided with bearers env gaging bearers upon the other in the printing operation; printing pressure exerting means for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting separation'of the engaging beara ers to prevent undue increase of theprinting pressure; and means. permitting separation of the engaging bearers and for then: depriving the printing pressure exerting means of its function. v

3. A printing press including two printing members one above theother and each provided with bearers. engaging the bearers upon the otherin the printing operation;

printing pressure exerting means, operating the lower member, for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting the separation theengaging bearers to prevent undue increase of the; printingpressure; and means for depriving the pressin'elexerting means of its function to permit the lower printing member then to lower away from the upper printing member. A I i 4. A printing press including two printing members one above theother and each provided with bearers engaging the bearers upon the other;a bearer roller in supporting relation to the lower printing member; ashaft structure having eccentric formation thereupon; insupporting relation -tosaid bearer r ller; vertica ly movabl bearings for'said shaft structure; spring mechanism exertingjpressure upwardly upon said bearings and therethrough upon said bearer roller and the printing member supported by the bearer roller to e'fifect printing pressure, said spring mechanism yielding to permit a separation of engaging bearers to avoid undue I increase in the printing pressure; and means for engaging the spring mechanism to stop the action thereof when said shaft structure is'turned to lower' the bearer roller to permit the. lower printingmember to move I supportingrelation to said vbearer roller;

vertically movable bearings for said shaft structure spring mechanism exerting pressure'upwardly upon said bearings and therethrough upon said bearer roller and the printing membersupported by the bearer roller to effect printing pressure, said spring mechanism yielding to permit separation of the engaging bearers'to avoid undue increase in the printing pressure; and means for en gaging the spring mechanism to stop the action thereof when said shaft structure is turnedto lower the bearer roller to permit the lower printing member to move away from the upper pr'intin'g member 6. A printing press including two printing members each provided with bearers engaging bearers upon the other in the printing operation; printing pressure exerting spring means for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact. during the printing operation and permitting separation of the en gaging bearers to prevent undue increase of the printing pressure; and means for separating the engaging bearers.

7. A printing press including two printing members each provided with bearers engaging bearers upon the other in the printing operation; printing pressure exerting spring means for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting separation of the engaging bearers to prevent undue increase of the printing pressure; and, means permitting separation'Iof-the engaging bearers and for then depriving the printing pressure exerting spring means of its function.

8. A printing press including'two" printing membersone above the other-and each providedwith bearers engaging the bearers upon the other in the printing operation; printing pressure exerting spring means,

operating the lower member, for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting the separation of the enga ing bearers to pre.;'

cylinder whose axis of rotation while printing is substantially stationary, each printing member being provided with bearers engaging bearers upon the otherln the printing. operation; printing 1 pressure exerting:

means for maintaining the engaging bear ers in contact during, the printing operation and permitting separation of the en-' gaging bearers to prevent undue increase of the printing pressure; and means for separating the engaging bearers.

10. A printing press including two print ing members one of which is a rotatable cylinder whose axis of rotation while print ing issubstantially stationary, each 7 printing member being provided with bearers ens. gaging bearers upon the other in the print ing operation; printing pressure exerting means for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting separation of the engaging bear.- ers to prevent undue increase of the printing pressure; and means permitting separation of the engaging bearers and for then depriving the printing pressure exerting means of its function. A V v 11-; A'printing press including two printing members one above the otherand one of which is a rotatable cylinder whose axis of rotation while printing is substantially stationary; each printing member being provided w1th bearers engaging the bearers upon theother in the prlnting operation;

printing pressure exerting means operating the lower member, for. maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting the separation of the engaging bearers to prevent undue increase of the printing pressure and means for depriving the pressure exerting means of its function topermit the lower'printing member then tolower awayfrom the upper printing member. J p

12. A pri ting press including twoprinting members one of which, a rotatable cylinder whose axis of rotationwhile print ing is substantially stationary; each print-:-

ing member being provided with bearers engaging bearers upon theother in the printing operation printing pressure exerting spring means for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printing operation and permitting separation of the env gaging bearers to prevent undue increase of in contact during the printing operation and ing members one of which is a rotatable cylinder whose axis of rotation while printing is substantially stationary, each printing member being provided with bearers engaging bearers upon the other in the printing operation; printing pressure exerting spring means for maintaining the engaging bearers permitting separation of the engaging bearers to prevent undue increase of the printing pressure; and means permitting separation of the engaging bearers and for then depriving the prlnting pressure exerting spring means of its function.

14. A printing press including two printing members one above the other and one of which is a rotatable cylinder whose axis of rotation while printing is substantially stationary, each printing member being provided with bearers engaging the bearers upon the other in the printing operation; printing pressure exerting spring means, operating the lower member, for maintaining the engaging bearers in contact during the printingoperation and permitting the separation of the engaging bearers to pre-- vent undue'increase of the printing pressure; and means for deprlvlng the pressure exert- 1ng spring means of 1ts function. to permit the lower printing member then to lower away from the upper printing member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 11th day of Dec., A. D., 1920.

ALFRED C. GHRISTOPHERSON. 

